🌧️ Spring Melt Is Coming: How to Prepare Your Home Now
Don’t Let Snowmelt Turn Into Water Damage
It may still look and feel like winter, but longer days and slightly warmer temperatures mean one thing in Alaska: spring melt is on the way.
And while the snow-covered landscape may seem harmless, rapid melting can create serious problems for homeowners — especially if your property isn’t prepared.
At Taylored Restoration, we see it every year. Heavy snowpack + quick temperature swings = basement leaks, foundation seepage, crawlspace flooding, and roof damage.
Here’s how to get ahead of it before the melt begins.
🧊 1. Move Snow Away From Your Foundation
If snow is piled directly against your home, it can create a moat of standing water as it melts. That water seeps into:
Foundation cracks
Window wells
Crawlspace vents
Basement walls
Take time now to shovel snow at least 3–5 feet away from your foundation where possible.
🏠 2. Check Your Roof for Ice Dams
Ice dams can trap melting snow and force water under shingles and into your attic.
Warning signs include:
Icicles hanging heavily from gutters
Water stains on ceilings
Dripping near exterior walls
If you suspect an issue, don’t wait — melt season can make it worse quickly.
🌊 3. Clear Gutters and Downspouts
Blocked gutters can’t carry melting snow away properly. Instead, water overflows and runs down siding or pools near your home.
Make sure:
Gutters are free of debris
Downspouts are extended away from the house
Ice blockages are safely removed
🔧 4. Test Your Sump Pump
If you have a basement sump pump, test it now — not when water is already rising.
Pour a small amount of water into the pit and confirm:
It activates
It drains properly
The discharge line is clear
This small step can prevent thousands in water damage.
🧱 5. Inspect for Foundation Cracks
Even hairline cracks can become entry points during melt season. Freeze-thaw cycles often widen small gaps over time.
Look for:
New cracks in concrete
Efflorescence (white powdery residue)
Damp spots or musty smells
Catching it early makes repairs far easier and less expensive.
⏳ The Biggest Mistake Homeowners Make?
Waiting.
Spring melt happens fast in Anchorage. When temperatures swing above freezing during the day and drop at night, that repeated thaw/refreeze cycle stresses every part of your home.
Being proactive now can prevent:
Basement flooding
Mold growth
Structural damage
Costly emergency mitigation
👷 Taylored Restoration Is Ready
If you’re unsure whether your home is ready for melt season, our team can help assess risk areas before problems start.
And if water does make its way inside, we offer:
✅ Water extraction
✅ Structural drying
✅ Mold prevention
✅ Crawlspace and foundation repair
✅ Full restoration services
Don’t let melting snow turn into a spring disaster.